Online Resource that allows people to try out assistive technologies wins Innovation Award

Try-it (www.try-it.ie) an on-line resource which provides access to new technology for people with disabilities has won the inaugural Neurological Alliance of Ireland Innovation Award 2010.

Try-it, the first initiative of its kind in Ireland, allows people a unique opportunity to access a range of technological solutions to promote independence and aid daily living. By providing an opportunity to try out equipment and devices, people can learn about what’s available and select those that best meet their needs. This is a multi-agency and non-disability specific initiative, initiated by the National Rehabilitation Hospital in collaboration with Enable Ireland’s National Assistive Technology Training Service and the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, and currently also receiving support from the HSE.

An independent evaluation of Try-it has revealed the positive impact that this novel resource has had on the quality of service delivery, level of professional knowledge and cost-effectiveness in relation to assistive technology for participating organisations.

The Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) Innovation Award is a new initiative aimed at recognising and highlighting the pioneering work being done by hospitals, charities, healthcare professionals and others in providing services to the over 700,000 people living with a neurological condition in Ireland.

Presenting the award, CEO of the Health Research Board, Mr Enda Connolly noted: “This website is an outstanding practical example of research and technology making a real difference in the day to day lives of people with a neurological condition. It deserves this recognition as an innovative approach to sharing and maximising the resources available within our health system”.

NCBI Wins Award for Eye Can Radio Advert

We are delighted to announce that Public Communications Centre, who developed NCBI’s Eye Can appeal radio ad have won the Best Charity/Government Service (Agency) award at the 2010 Radio Advertising Awards for our Eye Can appeal advert.

The awards took place on Friday 5th March at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Blind Sailing Ireland

Blind Sailing Ireland in partnership with Shannon Sailing Ltd. Dromineer and Irish Blind Sports are now offering tuition classes to people who are blind or vision impaired who would like to sail. This is an opportunity for beginners who want to learn to sail or people who would like to improve their existing sailing skills.

If you are interested in getting involved you can find out more by contacting Sandra Garvey blindsportireland@yahoo.com
Tel:086 3632408 or log onto www.ibsports.ie or www.shannonsailing.com

South Dublin County Council Access website

Under the Disability Act 2005, each local authority is required to take action to improve access for disabled people to the services, public buildings and public spaces in its administrative area. As part of its delivery of actions under the National Disability Strategy South Dublin County Council has created a downloadable resource for access guides, which, which can be viewed at http://accessible.southdublin.ie.

The access guides highlight features that ensure equal access to services for a wide variety of users with varying abilities. From accessible parking bays, automated doors, loop systems at public desks, to lifetime adaptable housing, specialist computer software and Braille and tactile signage.

The key purpose of these guides is to enable disabled people to ‘virtually’ visit key Council buildings and customer services, at a time and place suitable to them, in order to find out how accessible our buildings and services are, in advance of any actual visit.

Braille stamp wins design award in 2009

Red Dog, designers of the Braille stamp which was released last year by An Post to mark the bicentenary of Louis Braille’s birth, were chosen by the Institute for Designers in Ireland as the winners of the Design For All category in 2009.

With actual Braille embossed on the stamp, spelling out ‘Eire 55c’, the design also features the same words in print, treated typographically according to clear print guidelines. The supporting imagery, with its black-and-white treatment providing sharp contrast for those with vision impairments, makes reference to Braille dots, but also plays with the notion of sight itself, with the carefully crafted ‘eye’ falling in and out of abstraction. Des Kenny of NCBI described the Louis Braille stamp as ‘a fitting tribute to this remarkable man’s memory’.

The Institute of Designers in Ireland held their 11th annual award ceremony in 2009, an occasion to celebrate the excellent standard of design achieved by designers on the island of Ireland.

World Book Day book produced in Braille for first time

The O’Brien Press specially produced World Book Day flip book ‘An Buachaill Bó by Gillian Perdue/The Witch Apprentice by Marian Broderick,’ was produced in Braille by NCBI for the first time to mark World Book Day 2010, which fell on 4th March. The book is available in print in book shops around the country and on loan in Braille from NCBI’s library.

NCBI was delighted that O’Brien Press made it possible to have the book available in Braille for children who are blind or vision impaired.
World Book Day is a celebration of books and reading, so it is great that children who are blind or vision impaired can read the same new book as their sighted friends. Unfortunately, only around five per cent of all books, magazines and newspapers ever become available in Braille, audio or large print and even then there can be a big delay between the publication of the print version and the availability of the accessible format. NCBI’s Library is the only producer of Irish interest materials in accessible formats like Braille and audio.

Children’s low vision workshop in Limerick

Due to the increased demand for places in the low vision workshop with children last year, staff at NCBI Limerick are organising further workshops to be held this summer. The workshops will take place over two days lasting approximately 3.5 hours each day. The aim is to provide support in the correct usage of near and distance portable low vision aids that have been prescribed and explore ways in which these aids can be used on a daily basis in a child’s life. The workshop provides an opportunity for children to improve their skills and encourages practical usage of low vision aids outside of educational settings and promotes increased independence.

Accommodation can be arranged for people travelling for the workshop. Parents are not required to attend the workshop but will be responsible for drop off and collection from the Regional Centre in Limerick. Referrals are being accepted for children from 8 -18 years-of-age and can be forwarded to caroline.lane@ncbi.ie.

For further information contact Caroline Lane on 061 310818.